Meanwhile back at the ranch used to be a popular expression in adventure stories.

Forewarned is forearmed is a saying. If you have some relevant information in advance of a meeting for example, you are better able to deal with it.

In advance means beforehand.

Advance booking is advised is the correct way of indicating that tickets may be in short supply. I have seenadvanced used in this context, but that is wrong! Advanced (used as an adjective) means more difficult or more specialised. Anadvance is money given out ahead of its due date. For example, employees might ask for an advance from their wages. The sum paid out would then have beenadvanced.

In arrears is the opposite. It means behind time. It is usual to pay rentin advanceand to receive wagesin arrears.

With malice aforethought is an expression about deliberate wrong-doing – some spiteful act which has been planned beforehand.

Preparatory to is a clumsy expression meaningbefore.

To bend over backwards is to do more than what might be considered reasonable. The phrase is usually heard as part of a complaint about how the speaker’s efforts have not been appreciated.

Dull and backward is how teachers used to describe pupils requiring remedial classes or those who now would have a statement of their special needs.

Not backward at coming forward describes someone who speaks out and makes their presence known. It can be used to express disapproval or a shy person might be told not to bebackward at coming forward.

Back-to-front is the wrong way round.

Back-to-back is how many rows of houses were built.

The back of beyond is a remote location.

A setback is an unexpected delay.

Backroom boys are not seen working by the public in the front office.

Without a backward glance means without looking back. Lot’s wife failed here with fatal consequences. Genesis 19:26 (NIV) But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Read the whole storyin Genesis 18:16:19:29

To have cold feetis when someone has made a decision and then has a change of mind about it.

You’ll have to stand on your own two feetby supporting yourself.

Put your best foot forwardis another instruction to a tired child. I was always confused about which was my best foot. Grammatically, it should be better in any case!

Put your toe in the water.This is about trying a new experience.

My back’s broad.I am prepared to take the blame.

That put my back up.Are cats annoyed when they arch their backs?

Put your back into it.Make an effort.

A shoulder to cry onbelongs to a sympathetic person at a sad time. If they give you a hug, your face may well be buried against their shoulder.

I’ll put salt on your tail.An expression used when someone has done something wrong. I had no idea what this was about until I looked it up in the Concise Oxford Dictionary. Apparently children wanting to catch a bird were advised to put salt on its tail.

Chasing one’s tail.Dogs sometimes chase their own tails. It doesn’t get them anywhere. If someone feels that they are rushing around making very little progress, here is a short way of saying so.

A gut feeling.Intuition.

Blood is thicker than water.Bonds between family members are the strongest.

He won’t make old bonesis a prediction about someone who lives recklessly, perhaps. These are his bones (not dice, as in the final saying in this post).

I feel it in my bones.I feel sure. (The Concise Oxford Dictionary again)

No bones brokenis often said to a child who has fallen over.

Make no bones about it…My understanding of this is “Don’t disagree with what I am going to say”. However the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable explains that bones here are dice. The meaning is not to make difficulty or scruple, thus favouring the dice.